The Adventures of Asher: Happy Birthday, Jeff

Jeff's birthday was last Sunday. I surprised him with a weekend getaway to Mt. Hood. But instead of snowboarding and skiing like we did BA (Before Asher), we went sledding (or tubing). It turned out to be a blast. Asher loved the snow (he definitely gets this more from Jeff than from me); he loved stomping in it, climbing it, eating it, and of course sledding down it.

Afterwards, we went to one of our very favorite Oregon restaurants, Calamity Jane's, a hamburger joint that's been around for a long time and that we regularily visit on our way back from skiing/snowboarding/biking in Mt. Hood.

After taking a break in our cabin (and trying everything in our power to get Asher to take his regular afternoon nap), we drove back up the mountain to Timberline Lodge, another one of our favorite Oregon places. Asher quickly fell asleep on the way and, against our better judgement, we woke him up when we arrived at the lodge a few minutes later. Unfortunately, my plans of hanging out by the beautiful fireplace, sipping hot drinks, and having wonderful conversation with Jeff were completely ruined by a very fussy, needing-to-nap toddler. Jeff and I literally gulped down our drinks and hurriedly stuffed our faces with fondu while Asher whined and cried and demanded that we leave.

We assumed he'd crash as soon as we got back to the cabin, and that we would then be able to watch a movie or at least talk, but he ended up getting a second wind and staying up way past 10. So although it was a great day overall (besides maybe the time at the lodge), I definitely learned a lesson: never plan a day with specific events that assume your child is going to follow a schedule.

The next day we went out for brunch, stopped at an outlet mall, then headed home. We ended the day with a very chocolatey cake that Asher and I made (I still owe Jeff a homemade birthday dinner, his favorite, chicken pot pie).